Inter-project Clinics

Group #3: IWRM Implementation and Progress Measurement

Doctor: Felix

Rapporteur: D. Sarlicheba

1. Social Dynamics

-Lively and very interactive. A lot of experiences shared from the Danube and the Caribbean. The guys from Volta, Orange River, Nile Initiative, Pacific Islands and Botswana IWRM learnt a lot. A lot of debate on the definition of IWRM

2. Concrete Issues Discussed:

-The difficult of agreeing where and how to implement IWRM. How can it be defined? Of course there is the GWP definition, but is it an international consensus?

-Lack of improved water policies by member countries. Some countries in an international basin do not even have proper policies, making agreements difficult.

-there is no report of environmental stress indicators. Focus is too much on other areas, yet to access funding, especially GEF funding, environmental indicators are important.

-Data sharing among member states critically lacking.

-Establishing proper bodies for IWRM implementation.

-The importance of lobbying influential leaders, especially politicians, to recreate an enabling environment for technicians to work in.

-Lack of benchmarks to measure the progress of IWRM implementation. It is difficult. So can we note principles of IWRM to measure (as benchmarks) progress? But is it possible to use such principles as “equity”, “efficiency” and “environmental protection” as indicators?

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

1. The first step is the preparation of a plan. Implementation is difficult, but at least when following a plan sometimes can be achieved.

2. Agree on the baseline first, for all countries involved, before implementing IWRM. It may be qualitative but it’s important.

3. Have realistic ambitions. Do not try to achieve too much. But problem is if you do not propose big ambitions, you do not get GEF funding!!!

4. Process indicators are very good starting points. Stress indicators are good, but they are a bonus, start with what you can do.

5. At the national level, changes of policy to accommodate IWRM at transboundary levels, harmonizing polices of different governments.

6. Put together a database of case studies, both successes and failures, to have a knowledge base.

INITIATIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

-Measuring IWRM indicators is a subject deserving a conference of its won. IW:LEARN offered to organize such conference.

-Sameh Afifi (UNDP:Arab Region) has proposed a follow-up. They are hosting a Preparatory Assistance for Water Governance, involving 22 countries. He will invite members who are at the table to take part. CAB-net also offered assistance towards this conference. The clinic felt these indicators would be beneficial to all IWRM implementers world wide.

Rapportuer to email everyone the contact list.

-Use demonstration projects to sell IWRM. Do this by twinning.

-Indicators should include human resources and institutions.

-Use replication strategy as a way of measuring progress.

-There is a waste of time by trying to come up with indicators. Starting the process alone is great and should be celebrated. That is easily measurable and it will always be difficult to refer to could qualitative indicators.

Converted with Word to HTML.